Godspell

Synopsis

Originally produced in 1971 this musical on Jesus' life contains songs such as "Day by Day", "We beseech thee" and "Prepare ye the way of the Lord". Good comedy and music. Not just for Christians!

Our Review:

Michael Coveney - 18 April 2011

Almost the perfect show for Easter Week, Godspell always suffered badly in comparison with Jesus Christ Superstar. Both use the parables and storyline of St Matthew covering the Last Seven Days, but whereas Superstar is a full-blown rock oratorio with some of Lloyd Webber’s best music, Godspell is a whimsical off-Broadway workshop affair - admittedly with half a dozen superb songs by Stephen Schwartz.

Both shows opened within a year of each other 40 years ago, though the best thing about Michael Strassen’s feisty, enjoyable revival at the Union is that he’s done it as though it just arrived in the post.

Gone the flower-power hippy-drippiness. And gone the clown nose and Superman T-shirt that made David Essex so ingratiating; but new name-to-watch Billy Cullum has a similar mop of curly dark hair. He arrives not through the expected illuminated doorway, but casually, on the other side of the stage, clutching h...

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Latest User Review

ajh - 3 May 2011:

Pitched in a bland no-man's land halfway between Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar but lacking the drama of the latter and the sheer joy of the former, Godspell looks embarrassingly dated and twee 40 years on. Despite some pleasing stage pictures and striking choreography, Michael Strassen has failed to work the magic here that made his Assassins and Company at this address so thrilling. Stephen Schwartz's score is undeniably melodic but the ritualistic book and concept proves simultaneously childish and bewildering. The cast sing well but fail to project much personality or charisma (something of an achievement in such a small space surely) and the attempts at updating the material (sanctioned in the script) prove embarrassingly unfunny. All in all, this is a huge disappointment given Strassen's earlier triumphs though, in fairness, nobody short of God could make this material work....

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